The Philippine Republic Under the Japanese Regime: Impacts on Socio-political and SocioCultural Developments

I.) THE SCENARIO

A.) The World War II
-A second great war that commenced in 1939 and concluded in 1945
-it was the most deadliest and largest war in the modern history of mankind resulting to more
than 50 million deaths including the military men and the civilians
- Major Participating Countries:
The Axis Powers: Germany (under Adolf Hitler), Japan and Italy
The Allied Powers: USA, France, Great Britain, Soviet Union
-Root Cause of this war: Hitlers aggression to Poland to gain more political power and military
support; thus Great Britain and France reacted to this.
-Immediate effect to the Philippines: The bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 7, 1941 by
the Japanese military; that set up Philippines into critical stage since the country that time
was under American government.
In the country, Japanese force also attacked the Clark Air Base on December 8, 1941.
B.) The Japanese Occupation in the Philippines
- Japanese occupation in the Philippines lasted from 1942 to 1945
-Most Remarkable Manifestation of Japanese Occupation: Most of the 80,000 prisoners of
war captured by the Japanese at Bataan were forced to undertake the infamous "Bataan Death
March" to a prison camp 105 kilometers to the north.
II.) HISTORICAL IMPACTS
A.) Culture
-On Social Discipline: -Institutionalization of Curfew among rural and urban areas
-On Food:
sushi, tempura
-On Other Customs: Karaoke, Anime shows (entertainment) , kimono (clothing)
B.) Literature
-All English newspaper except for the TRIBUNE and PHILIPPINE REVIEW, FREE PHILIPPINES
were abominated by the Japanese authorities
-The weekly publication LIWAYWAY, a Filipino-oriented publication was also controlled by the
Japanese authorities under Ishiwara
- According to Victoria Abelardo a anti-colonialist writer, Filipino writing during Japanese
occupation is pessimistic and bitter
-Kana, a syllabic Japanese script, was slightly introduced in the country. The following illustration
is an example of Kana script.

- Haiku (free verse with three lines) and Tanaga ( has a measure and rhyme of 17 syllables each

line ) were also introduced.

-Publication: The Setting Sun (a Japanese novel by Osamu Dazai) that elucidates the Japanese
experience after the World War II
-Notable Filipino writers during this era: Carlos P. Romulo who won Pulitzer Prize
Nick Joaquin- The Woman who Looked Like Lazarus
Liwayway Arceo- Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa
- Other Literary influences (Modern Times): Manga (Japanese Comic Books)
C.) Government
MAIN PREMISE: The America does not want to fully resist the Japanese invasion in the
Philippines because this strategy would be not practical in defeating the main nemesis- ADOLF
HITLER OF GERMANY.
Thus, Philippines was left with minimal military support from the Americans.
C.1 The Establishment of Ministries
-The establishment of Second Republic (or the Puppet Republic) through the appointment of
Jose P. Laurel
Manifestation: -The Creation of Council of State through which the Japanese government
intervene with the civil affairs of the Philippines
- The reigning of KALIBAPI- the only allowed political party to participate in the
Philippine politics during Japanese occupation
- The Creation of Bureau of Constabulary that repeal the resistance of guerrilla
movement against the Japanese occupation
Immediate Result: 12 over 48 provinces in the country were under Japanese control
C.2 Japanese Military Authorities
-Intensification of Japanese iron-clad rule through increasing Japanese troops in Manila, and
Visayas
- The reigning of Imperial Japanese Army that captured at least 60,000 Filipinos and 15,000
Americans who considered as prisoners of war.
C.3 Restructuring of Bureaucracy
-Restructuring of the national government by appointing new members of the National
Assembly (108 members)
Prominent Political Figures: Jose P. Laurel (appointed President)
Jorge Vargas (Chairman of the Philippine Executive Commission)
Jose Yulo (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court)
Benigno Aquino Sr. (Director General of Kalibapi)
Tomoyuki Yamashita (Commander of Japan Troops in Manila)
Result: The Formulation of 1943- Constitution on July 10, 1943 that supersede the 1935Constitution. However, this 1943-Constitution lacked Bill of Rights and only carried 12 articles from
the 1935 constitution.